The state of drowsiness is familiar to everyone. It is characterized by a whole complex of unpleasant sensations: a person becomes lethargic, feels a strong desire to lie down, his reactions slow down, apathy appears. This can be observed at any time of the day, including at the moment when everyday activities await us. People who constantly suffer from drowsiness become irritable and non-contact, their physical and intellectual activity decreases.

In such a situation, the malaise cannot be ignored – it is necessary to find out its cause and determine ways to solve the problem. Today we will acquaint readers with the most common factors that cause drowsiness.

8 causes of drowsiness and how to deal with them

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1. Fatigue

Drowsiness caused by fatigue occurs in the late afternoon, after a strenuous day's activities. This is a normal condition that goes away after a night's sleep.

In order to get enough sleep, you need to follow a few rules:

  • the room for night rest should be well ventilated;
  • in the bedroom you can not turn on bright lights, leave the TV or computer monitor on;
  • the room should be quiet;
  • bed linen, sleepwear (nightgown, pajamas) and all textile accessories in the bedroom should be made of soft natural fabrics;
  • a sofa or bed (mattress) intended for night rest must be chosen in accordance with the anatomical features of the body of the person who will use them;
  • It is important to go to bed no later than midnight. The duration of a night's rest, which ensures the restoration of physical and mental activity, for most people is 7-8 hours.

 

2. Stress

Some people develop sleep disturbances due to stress: at night a person suffers from insomnia, and during the day he is overcome by drowsiness. Insomnia due to stress may require the help of a psychotherapist and the use of sedative drugs. Of course, the type of medicine and the regimen for taking it should be determined by the doctor. Self-medication in such a situation is fraught with aggravation of the problem and other serious complications.

 

3. Disease

The cause of drowsiness is often a pathological process in the body. Fatigue and lethargy during the day cause the following diseases:

  • diabetes;
  • dysfunction of the endocrine glands. Drowsiness is especially characteristic in case of malfunctions of the endocrine system, accompanied by obesity (Pickwick's syndrome);
  • heart disease;
  • instability of blood pressure (drowsiness can be a sign of both hypertension and hypotension);
  • Iron-deficiency anemia;
  • liver pathology;
  • impaired kidney function;
  • problems with the stomach and intestines;
  • inflammatory processes;
  • viral infections;
  • development of malignant neoplasms;
  • neurosis and depression.

Drowsiness almost always occurs with traumatic brain injuries and poisoning. Situations characterized by increasing hypoxia of the brain are especially dangerous: in these cases, drowsiness is a sign of the development of a coma.

 

4. Taking medications

Drowsiness may be due to medication:

  • tranquilizers and neuroleptics;
  • antihistamines;
  • some antitussive drugs;
  • analgesics;
  • reducing blood pressure;
  • used to treat heart disease;
  • used in the treatment of gastric ulcer;
  • antibiotics;
  • hormonal contraceptives.

The intensity of side effects of this kind is very individual: in some patients, drowsiness almost does not appear when taking medications, while others constantly complain of lethargy and loss of strength.

 

5. Stillness

People who are forced to constantly sit while working often experience a feeling of sleepiness during the day. This can be explained by stagnation: in the absence of physical activity, the blood flow in the vessels slows down, the brain begins to suffer from a lack of oxygen and nutrients.

8 causes of drowsiness and how to deal with them

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The way to solve the problem in this case is obvious: it is necessary to do a warm-up from time to time. You need to leave the workplace at least once within an hour, walk, do exercises for the arms, neck and legs. Usually, a few movements are enough for drowsiness to disappear and lethargy to be replaced by cheerfulness.

It is important for office workers to make up for the lack of movement by playing sports in their free time. In this sense, cycling, running or brisk walking, swimming are the best choices. In winter, ski trips and family games in the fresh air are useful.

 

6. Avitaminosis

Vitamin deficiency is bad for overall well-being. Among other symptoms, it can also cause daytime sleepiness. Most often, this is a deficiency of vitamins C, E, B6 and B12. As a rule, discomfort occurs in the autumn-winter period, when the amount of vegetables and fruits consumed decreases.

If there are no problems associated with the absorption of vitamins, then pharmacy preparations are not required. Seasonal vitamin deficiency is easy to correct by adding seafood, liver, nuts and legumes to the daily diet, as well as increasing the proportion of fruits and berries rich in vitamin C: blackcurrant, citrus fruits, kiwi, rose hips, etc.

 

7. Failure of biorhythms

Daytime sleepiness can be caused by disruptions in the rhythm of life due to production needs. Often this happens with people who are forced to periodically work in the evening and night shifts. A similar condition occurs when a person moves to a different time zone or to an area with unusual climatic conditions. A healthy body quickly rebuilds and unpleasant sensations disappear by themselves. But in the presence of diseases, the process can take quite a long time. In some cases, it is not possible to adapt to changes at all, and people have to return to their familiar environment, refusing to implement their plans.

 

8. Wrong indoor climate

The intensity of the brain depends on the quality of the air inhaled by a person. Too low humidity, insufficient oxygen content, high temperature cause hypoxia and drowsiness. Problems can arise due to excess tobacco smoke in the air or the presence of saturated odors in it (for example, the aromas of certain flowers or perfumes). Therefore, it is so important to regularly ventilate residential and industrial premises, maintain the optimum temperature and humidity in them.

Persistent drowsiness is a dangerous symptom, especially if it is accompanied by dizziness, headache, nausea, lack of appetite, swelling and pain. In this case, urgent medical attention is required.

Source: neboleem.net